Release Detail

March 30, 2005 - Fields Is Up, Ferrer Is Down Among Dems In Diallo Flap;
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
Miller, Weiner Trail In Dem Primary Race

Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields has gained ground in the Democratic
primary race for mayor and now trails Fernando Ferrer 36 - 21 percent among New
York City voters, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. U.S. Rep.
Anthony Weiner gets 11 percent, with 10 percent for Council Speaker Gifford Miller.

This is down from a 40 - 14 percent Ferrer lead over Fields in a March 2 poll by
the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University. In that poll, Weiner and
Miller each had 12 percent.

Of the 46 percent of New York City voters who say they have heard or read about
Ferrer's comments concerning the death of Amadou Diallo, 41 percent say Ferrer's
comments make them think less favorably of him. Among black voters who know of the
Diallo remarks, 57 percent think less favorably of Ferrer.

"Could New York City be ready for its first woman Mayor? The poll numbers
don't move dramatically, but all the moves look good for C. Virginia Fields," said
Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"The Manhattan Borough President moves up to a strong second in the
Democratic primary, while Fernando Ferrer dips below that magic 40 percent that would
prevent a runoff."

"Ferrer's comments that the death of Amadou Diallo was not a crime seem to
have hurt him, especially among black voters," Carroll added.

New York City voters are split on Bloomberg's plan to spend his own money in
his reelection campaign:

47 percent say it leaves the Mayor free of influence from lobbyists and other donors:

45 percent say it gives him an unfair advantage and looks like he is trying to buy the
election.

"It's a Democratic town. Mayor Mike trails Ferrer and he runs neck and neck
with Borough President Fields and Speaker Miller," Carroll said. "But it's still early
and Bloomberg has not yet begun to spend his millions.

"Speaking of millions, most voters in New Jersey say it's a good thing the
billionaire Sen. Jon Corzine, a Democrat in a Democratic state, spends his own money to
finance his run for Governor. New York City voters split when asked about their own
billionaire - Democrat-turned Republican Mike Bloomberg - spending his own money to
get reelected."

From March 21 - 28, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,371 New York City
registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points. The survey
includes 835 Democrats, with a margin of error of +/- 3.4 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida
and nationwide as a public service and for research.
For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu or call (203) 582-5201

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling
his job as Mayor?

TREND: If the election for mayor were being held today, and the candidates were
Gifford Miller the Democrat, and Michael Bloomberg the Republican, for whom
would you vote? (* "Suppose the general election for mayor. . .")

TREND: If the election for mayor were being held today, and the candidates were
Fernando Ferrer the Democrat, and Michael Bloomberg the Republican, for whom
would you vote? (* "Suppose the general election for mayor. . .")

TREND: If the election for mayor were being held today, and the candidates
were Anthony Weiner the Democrat, and Michael Bloomberg the Republican, for
whom would you vote? (* "Suppose the general election for mayor. . .")

TREND: If the election for mayor were being held today, and the candidates were
C. Virginia Fields the Democrat, and Michael Bloomberg the Republican, for
whom would you vote? (* "Suppose the general election for mayor. . .")

TREND: (If registered Democrat)If the Democratic primary for mayor were being
held today and the candidates were Gifford Miller, Fernando Ferrer,
C. Virginia Fields, and Anthony Weiner, for whom would you vote? (na = not asked)

7. (If registered Democrat) If the Democratic primary for mayor were being
held today and the candidates were Gifford Miller, Fernando Ferrer,
C. Virginia Fields and Anthony Weiner for whom would you vote?

11. (If 'heard' q10) Which comes closer to your view --
A) This is a good thing because it avoids a divisive Democratic primary.
B) This is a bad thing because it excludes two other Democratic candidates,
Gifford Miller and Anthony Wiener.

HEARD
Q10

A) Good thing 55%
B) Bad thing 30
DK/NA 14

12. Have you heard or read anything about Fernando Ferrer's recent comments
about the Amadou Diallo case?

14. As you may know, Mayor Michael Bloomberg spent millions of dollars of his
own money to be elected Mayor and says he will do the same in this year's race
for Mayor. Which comes closer to your point of view --

A) By financing his own campaigns Bloomberg is free from being beholden to
lobbyists and other special interests who would otherwise finance his campaign.
B) By financing his own campaigns Bloomberg has an unfair advantage and looks
like he is trying to buy the election.